Belfast City Council has announced the opening of the Belfast Stories Community Grants Programme, a new £250,000 initiative designed to empower local groups to explore and share the city's diverse cultural history. The programme aims to fund projects that highlight the memories, heritage, and creativity of Belfast's many communities.

The funding is divided into two tiers: ten small grants of up to £10,000 and five larger creative project grants of up to £30,000. These are available to Belfast-based organisations working across various creative disciplines. The application window opens today, Thursday 19 February 2026, and will remain open until 4pm on Tuesday 14 April 2026. Selected projects are expected to be delivered between June 2026 and March 2027.

This grants scheme is a key component of "Belfast Stories," a flagship regeneration and tourism project under the Belfast Region City Deal. Scheduled to open in 2030, the attraction will be housed in the restored Art Deco former Bank of Ireland building and an adjacent 5,000-square-metre site at the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street. The finished destination is projected to draw over 700,000 visitors annually, serving as a creative hub and public space. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, commented: "Belfast Stories is an ambitious project that is rooted in celebrating the people of Belfast and preserving the stories and experiences that connect them to this place. This grants programme creates meaningful ways for people to share their stories, whilst ensuring that Belfast Stories will be inclusive and representative of the many communities that make up our city."

The programme encourages participants to involve local residents in gathering and creatively interpreting stories unique to their neighbourhoods. Wendy Langham, Programme Director of Belfast Stories, added: "This grants programme brings momentum to Belfast Stories. It allows us to connect with community groups and leverage the power of creativity to unlock stories, memories and experiences of an authentic Belfast. Communities have an important role to play in the future of the Belfast Stories project, and we recognise that the Belfast Stories building will be part of a rich network of storytelling across the city."

To assist potential applicants, a series of online and in-person information sessions will be held throughout late February and early March. Earlier this month, the council concluded a pre-application community consultation on the project's designs ahead of a formal planning application later in 2026.

Interested parties can find guidance and application details at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/funding or by emailing belfaststories@belfastcity.gov.uk.